The actress, who starred in over 100 episodes of the long running ABC soap opera, passed away at her home.
What’s Happening:
- Deadline reports that actress Esta TerBlanche passed away in her North Hollywood home on Thursday.
- TerBlanche was 51. At this time, no cause of death has been determined.
- She was born on January 7th, 1973 in the North West province of South Africa. After being crowned Miss Teen South Africa in 1991, TerBlanche starred in Egoli: Place of Gold as Bienkie Naudé Hartman from 1992-1995.
- After leaving the show, the actress moved to the United States to continue pursuing her career.
- The actress is best known for playing Gillian Andrassy Lavery on ABC’s All My Children from 1997-2001.
- Gillian was a headstrong Hungarian princess and cousin of Dimitri Marick. Gillian would later marry Ryan Lavery before her death in 2001.
- After her character’s death, TerBlanche returned to South Africa where she opened a spa and worked with filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum on several documentaries. She also hosted TV shows.
- At the time of her passing, TerBlanche was splitting her time between South Africa and California.
- Her publicist, Lisa Rodrigo, confirmed the news on Facebook, sharing “I can not believe I am posting this. It’s with a heavy heart that my friend and client Esta TerBlanche passed away Thursday of natural causes. An autopsy report is pending. I am still processing and in shock. Esta was a beautiful soul in and out. I was proud to know her and work with her. More to come in the days ahead. Thank you for the messages so far. If I haven’t gotten to you, I will soon… May she RIP with the angels that she is.”
- Esta TerBlanche is survived by her ex-husband and goddaughter Barbie Ashley.